Frogs survive Big 12 debut

September 16, 2012|Reuters

KEEP AN EYE ON: WR Brandon Carter -- Although he entered the Kansas game as the No. 3 receiver in the TCU arsenal after Skye Dawson returned from a one-game suspension, Carter proved to be a dangerous target. He grabbed a team-high eight receptions for 141 yards and also scored both TCU touchdowns. One came on a pretty 25-yard strike Pachall threw into coverage and Carter snagged by outplaying Kansas CB Tyree Williams for the ball.

LOOKING GOOD: As much as anything, the win was the thing for TCU in its Big 12 opener at Kansas. Yes, the Horned Frogs figured to look more convincing, but the 20-6 outcome is misleading since they committed four turnovers, three on fumbles after getting into the red zone. TCU was stout on defense, particularly in the second half when they mounted a fierce pass rush. The Frogs generated three sacks, two by LB Joel Hasley, and pressured Kansas into several bad throws. There is much room to improve, but a road win is a nice first step in a new league.

STILL NEEDS WORK: TCU must value the football, and in particular QB Casey Pachall cannot be so reckless in the red zone. The Horned Frogs converted just three of seven opportunities from that distance into scores. Pachall lost two fumbles, including one he had stripped near the goal line which bounded through the end zone for a touchback. Another fumble by RB Matthew Tucker cost the Frogs another golden opportunity to score. The offense moved the ball yet failed to cash in and must learn that mistakes will be costly against better opponents.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We executed and didn't feel like they were stopping us, but at the same time we were stopping ourselves so that's something we need to work on." -- TCU QB Casey Pachall.

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NCAAF Team Report - TCU - STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

PLAYER NOTES:

--LB Joel Hasley entered the Kansas game as a backup on the TCU depth chart but drew a start in the middle and responded with a team-high 12 tackles, including two sacks. If Hasley plays consistently at the level he showed, the Frogs will be fine with Kenny Cain manning the other linebacker spot in the 4-2-5 scheme.

--PK Jaden Oberkrom connected on field goals of 37 and 22 yards after missing his first attempt from 27 yards. On kickoffs, Oberkrom did not produce any touchbacks, though the TCU coverage unit limited Kansas to a 12.8-yard average, creating long fields.

--DE Stansly Maponga was limited to just one tackle as the Kansas line did a nice job limiting the Frogs' rush specialist. The attention placed on Maponga, however, created other opportunities for TCU defenders, namely Hasley.

ROSTER REPORT

--P Ethan Perry and DT Terrell Lathan entered as true freshmen against Kansas. TCU has used 15 true freshman through two games, a record number under 12th-year coach Gary Patterson.

--WR Skye Dawson returned from a one-game suspension and caught two passes for 31 yards at Kansas. Dawson was also used as a punt returner after Deante' Gray set a TCU record with 160 yards and a touchdown against Grambling.